Amplifiers Quiet Noise Without Cooling

A line of low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) from Satellink, Inc. (www.satellink.com) relies on the latest high-frequency active devices and circuit-design techniques to achieve impressive low noise figures at microwave frequencies without cooling. Ideal for setting sensitivity levels in RF/microwave receivers, such as in wireless local area networks (WLANs), these amplifiers are supplied in rugged metal housings with coaxial connectors. As an example, model SHA170-30M is an LNA with noise figure of a mere 0.40 dB from 1.65 to 1.75 GHz with 30-dB gain assuming a 1.25:1 VSWR at input and output ports. At higher frequencies, model SHA470-25M provides 0.60-dB noise figure and 25-dB gain from 4.4 to 5.5 GHz. The firm boasts standard models through 10 GHz and can quickly turnaround custom designs with extremely low noise figures.